Material working machine



May 23, 1950 H. D. PAXSON 2,508,534

MATERIAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

Y HOMER D. PAXSQN INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 23, 1950 PAXSON 2,508,534

MATERIAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g .97 WFur-5.3.

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. INVENTOE. HZ/W ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE MATERIAL WORKING MAI'JI IIN E Claims.

My invention relates to material workingmachines, more particularly to amachine for forming the edge or 'edgesof a strip, and the principalobject of my invention is to provide new and improved machines of thischaracter.

The invention provides a machine which is ideally suited to trim or formedges of sheet'metal to any desired size or cross-sectional contour.Further, the machine provided by my invention is less costly tomanufacture, is adjustable and changeable to provide for variance in theformation'of the sheet edge, and is composed'of mechanism that isreadily accessible for maintenance, testing, or inspection work. V

In the drawings accompanying this application, and forming a part ofthis specification, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, anembodiment which the invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure l is a plan'view of a machine disclosing an embodiment of theinvention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine shown inFigure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional viewcorresponding generally to the line 3--3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view correspondinggenerally to the line 4-4 of Figure '1,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of themachine, showing certain parts in an-open position, 7

Figure 6 is a generally schematic perspective view illustratingarrangement of the forming mechanism, and

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a sheet, showing one typeof edge which may be formed. 7

The machine herein "shown to disclose the inventioncomprises a baseiohaving a top supporting surface ll. Carried by the top surface II is apair of tool supports 12 and l 3. The tool-support I2 is securely fixedto the top surface, in ny suitable manner, as for instance by bolts. Thetool support 13 is slidable along the top surface, in a direction towardand away from the tool support 12. Preferably, a key I4 (see Figure 3),held in a way it formed in the top surface H, is slidably received in akeyway IT formed in the tool support I3, to hold the tool support topredetermined movement. The key is preferably held to position in theway I5, by means :of bolts IT.

The tool support I 3 is formed with a transverse aperture l8, threadedas at 19, to receive the screw-threaded shahkZ-i oia hand wheel 2 l. Thehand wheel construction includes a reduced diameter portion 22jourhailed-in a bracket 23 rigidly carried by the top surface it. Thereduced portion forms shoulders engageabl'e with the side surfaces ofthe bracket 23, so that the wheel construction is held longitudinallystationary and rotation of the hand wheel causes the shank 20 to threadin the aperture 1 9 and move the tool support [3 toward or away from thesupport 12, depending upon the direction of rotation of the hand wheel.2i.

The tool support i2 is provided in its upper surface with a series ofgrooves 25, each forrec'eiv'ing either a cutter 2%: or a gauge block 25.In the present case, it is preferred to start with a gauge block "26(see Figure *6) and then alternate cutters 25 with gauge blocks 26,and'ending with a gauge block '25, this progression being along the lineof movement of the sheet 5.

As best seen in Figure 3, the grooves 24 are of a height slightlygreater than the depth of the cutters Z5 (and of the gauge blocks 26)and a plate 21, spanning all grooves M, is bolted to the top surface ofthe tool support 12. In effect, this construction prov-ides individualopenings through which a respective cutter or'gauge block may slide. inline with each groovefz't, the plate 2? is provided with ascrew-'threaded-aperture 28 for receiving a set screw 29. The set screws29 hold respective cutters or gauge blocks in tight engagement with thebottom of the respective grooves 23, and thus holdthe cutters and gaugeblocks in horizontal alignment.

The tool support 12 is formed withan elongated groove 30 extendingtransversely'with respect to the grooves 25, for the "pur ose ofreceiving a backup block 31. "The block '51 is provided withscrew-threaded apertures -32 generally in axial alignment with thegrooves 2%, each aperture receiving a back-up screw 33 having one endadapted to back up .a cutter or gauge block.

The tool support 13 is likewise provided with means for supportingcutters and gauge blocks, parts similar to those previously describedbeing given similar numbers but supplemented with the suiiix a. y

In the particular embodiment hereind-isclosed, it was required to form aside edge of the sheets with an angular formation, as indicated inFigure 7. Accordingly, thecutters 25 are arranged along the line oftravel of the sheet so as to successively make progressively inwardlyextending cuts along the edges of the (sheets, as indicated by theline's I), c, d, e and f, in 'the case where five cutters are used.

The progressive cutting action may be provided for by either havingprogressively greater cutting angle on the cutter faces, or by havingthe cutting angle on all faces alike, and progressively extending thecutters toward the sheet edge, as herein shown. 'In either event, thegauge blocks, at the entrance and exit for the sheet and betweenadjoining cutters, provide a constant guide for the sheet, so as toprevent the sheet from crowding the cutters along one edge and recedingfrom the cutters along the opposite edge.

It will be appreciated that, if desired, only one edge of the sheet maybe formed, in which case the cutters along the opposite edge areomitted, the gauge blocks guiding such opposite edge during movement ofthe sheet. Regardless of whether one or both edges of the sheet areformed, it will be clear that my invention provides means whereby thesheet may be rapidly fed through the machine, and the edge or edgesquickly and easily formed. Further, edges of various widths of sheetsmay be formed to the same edge contour, without changing position of thecutters in their individual holders, simply by proper adjustmentof thehand wheel 2|.

To insure that the edge or edges of the sheet are properly formed, meansare provided to prevent buckling of the sheet S as it passes through theseries of cutters. The means herein shown comprise rollers engaging thesheet on opposite flat surfaces.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 3, the plate 21a is formed withan upstanding leg 35 provided with apertures 36 (three in this case)each aperture having a'conical portion, as best seen in Figure 3. Eachaperture is adapted to receive a collet 31 having a split, conical headand a threaded shank, the conical head fitting within the conicalportion of the recess. Each collet receives a stub shaft 38 whichprovides support for a bearing 39 carrying a roller 40. A split washer4| forms an abutment between which and a shoulder 42 formed on the shaft38, is held the bearing 39. After the shaft 38 and its roller have beenmoved to desired adjusted position, a nut 43, threaded on the shank ofthe collet, pulls the head of the collet into the conical portion of theaperture 36, to clamp the shaft 38 in position. The shaft 38 ispreferably formed with an eccentric portion, as best seen in Figure 3,so that the distance between the upper and lower rolls may be adjustedmerely by loosening the nut 43, rotating the shaft 38 within the collet31, and again tightening the nut 43. a

A lower roller 44 is also held by a collet construction similar to thatalready described, the collet 45 in this case fitting in an elongatedaperture 41 formed in the tool holder l3.

Feed rolls for the sheet S are provided both at the entrance and exit ofthe machine, so that in starting a sheet, the sheet will be positivelyfed through the rollers, and in finishing a run, the end of the sheetwill be positively pulled through the rollers.

The entrance feed rolls 50, I, and the exit feed rolls 52, 53 are ofsimilar construction, and only the entrance feed rolls 50, 5| willtherefore be described in detail.

Referring particularly to Figure 4, the roll 5| is journalled in abearing carried by a housing 54 which is securely fixed to the topsupporting surface I! of the base ID, as by means of bolts, The housing54 carries a pivot shaft 55 on which is carried a housing 56 whichcarries a bearing for the roll 50. Thus, the housing 56 carrying theroll 50 may be swung about the shaft 55 to move the roll 50 away fromthe roll 5|.

The housing 56 is formed with an aperture 66, through which passes theshank 6| of a screw stud which is formed with a shoulder-forming head62. The housing 54 is provided with a screwthreaded recess 63 forreceiving the shank 6|, so that the housing 56 may be held againstmovement away from the housing 54, and adjustment of the distancebetween the feed rolls 56, 5| is readily effected.

The shaft 64 carrying the roll 50 has a spur gear 65 fixed thereto, andthe shaft 66 carrying the roll 5| has a spur gear 61 fixed thereto, the

gears 65 and 61 being in meshing relationship.

The housing 54 has bearings for a shaft 66 which carries a spur gear 69meshing with the gear 61, and the extremity of the shaft 68 carries asprocket wheel 10. a

The feed rolls 52 and 53 are supported and rotated by constructionsimilar to that provided for the rolls 50, 5|, and similar parts bearthe same reference numeral supplemented by the suflix a. A sprocketchain H connects the sprocket wheels 10, 10a, so that the pairs of feedrolls 56, 5| and 52 53 are positively driven at the same speed. As bestseen in Figure 2, the chain H receives power from a sprocket attached toa motor M.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, withinlimitations, sheets of various widths may be easily accommodated by themachine, merely by proper adjustment of the handwheel 2|, Also, sheetsof various thicknesses may be accommodated, merely by proper adjustmentof the heads 62, 62d. For hand feeding, such as during set-up time, orfor checking or inspection purposes, the heads 62, 62a may be rotated toremove the screw-shanks 6|, 6m from respective recesses 63, 63a, so thatthe housing 56, 560, may be swung about their pivots to separate thefeed rolls, as seen in Figure 6.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention,and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that theembodiment herein disclosed may be variously changed and modified,without departing from the spirit, of the invention, and that theinvention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specificallydescribed; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosedembodiment is illustrative only, and that my inventionis not limitedthereto.

I claim:

1. In a machine for forming an edge portion of a strip of material,cutter head meansin relatively movable relation with said strip andcom-- prising aplurality of cutters having cutting-faces extending alongthe line of relative movement and extending progressively inward of saidedgeportion so as to make successive cuts along said edge portion, andmeans disposed between at least certain adjoining cutters, said meansbeing engageable with out parts of said edge portion for maintainingsaid strip in predetermined relation with respect to said cutters.

2. In a machine for forming an edge portion of a strip of materialmovingtherethrough, cutter head means comprising a plurality of cuttersheld stationary with respect to said strip during cutting action, saidcutters having cutting faces arranged along the line of travel of saidstrip and extending progressively inward of said edge portion so as tomake successive cuts along said edge portion, and gauge means disposedbetween adjoining cutters and adapted to progressively ex tend inwardinto slidable engagement with adjoining out parts of said edge portionfor maintaining said strip in predetermined relation with respect tosaid cutters.

3. In a machine for forming an edge portion of a strip of materialmoving therethrough, cutter head means comprising a plurality of cuttersheld stationary with respect to said strip during cutting action, saidcutters having cutting faces arranged along the line of travel of saidstrip and extending progressively inward of said edge portion so as tomake successive cuts along said edge portion, gauge means disposedbetween adjoining cutters and adapted to progressively extend inwardinto slidable engagement with adjoining cut parts of said edge portionfor maintaining said strip in predetermined relation with respect tosaid cutters, and means providing for adjustment of said cutters andsaid gauge means in a direction toward and away from said edge portion.

4. In a, machine for forming opposite edges of a strip of materialpassing therethrough, cutter head means comprising spaced opposed setsof gauge blocks and spaced opposed sets of cutters, each set being heldstationary with respect to said strip during cutting action, said gaugeblocks in each set being disposed between adjoining cutters of each set,and said cutters of each set having cutting faces arranged along theline of travel of said strip and extending progressively inwardly ofrespective edge of said strip so as to make successive cuts along saidrespective edges, and said gauge blocks of each set extendingprogressively inward into sliding engagei'nnt with adjoining out partsof said amid-- site edges so as to maintain said strip in predeterminedgauged relation with said sets of cutters.

5. In a machine for forming opposite edges of a strip of materialpassing therethrough, cutter head means comprising spaced opposed setsof gauge blocks and spaced opposed sets of cutters, each set being heldstationary with respect to said strip during cutting action, s'aid gaugeblocks in each set being disposed between adjoining cutters of each set,and said cutters of each set having cutting faces arrangedf along theline of travel of said strip and extending progressively inwardly ofrespective edge of said strip so as to make successive cuts along saidrespective edges, and said gauge blocks of each set extendingprogressively inward into sliding engagement with adjoining out parts ofsaid opposite edges so as to maintain said strip in predetermined gaugedrelation with said sets of cutters, and means engageable with opp siteflat surfaces of said strip as it passes relatively to said cutter headmeans to restrain said strip against buckling.

HOMER D. PAXSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date 1,107,625 Martin Aug. 18, 19142,242,815 Darner May 20, 1941 2,318,732 Yoder May 11, 1943 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 13,704 Great Britain June 11, 1909

